Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc had an excellent qualifying day on Saturday, taking pole position for the second time in a row. However, he did not hold the lead for long as Mercedes-Lewis Hamilton took the lead from him on lap two. Leclerc explained why this was happening and revealed that there was a branch in the way.
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The Monégaske finished his race in fourth place and almost missed a podium. However, the fact that he scored 12 points for the Maranello team must have made him very pleased, especially after a DNS at his home race.
Charles Leclerc says the tree made him lose his position to Hamilton
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As quoted by Motorsport.com, Leclerc said: “On the first few laps it started to be quite okay. Then there was something I don’t think has ever been seen on TV. In the middle of turn 15 there was part of a tree and I actually lost a lot of time there.
“I cut the track and was a little worried about gaining time on Lewis who hadn’t cut the track. So I slowed down and then he passed me. From then on it was quite difficult because I was behind Lewis in dirty air, which was a bit difficult for me, as soon as I lost the DRS, Max overtook me. “
Formula 1 F1 – Formula 1 – Azerbaijan Grand Prix – Baku City Circuit, Baku, Azerbaijan – June 3, 2021 Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc during the pool press conference on REUTERS / Francois Nel
“Then you are just in a vicious circle, which is very difficult because I had cars everywhere that had a little more pace than me,” concluded Leclerc.
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How did the Scuderia fare in Baku?
With Leclerc in pole position, the Maranello team looked like they were going to win their first race of the season. Unfortunately it didn’t go that way and the Monegaske landed on P4.
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On the other hand, his team-mate Carlos Sainz started the race from P5 after a crash in Q3. He crossed the finish line in eighth place and scored four points.
Formula 1 F1 – Azerbaijan Grand Prix – Baku City Circuit, Baku, Azerbaijan – Ferraris Charles Leclerc in action during practice REUTERS / Maxim Shemetov
After the Azerbaijan GP, the Italian team took third place in the constructors’ championship with 94 points. With the talents of Leclerc and Sainz at the wheel, the team believes they can achieve better results in the future.
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